Text: Revelation 1-3
In recent years South Africa has followed in the footsteps of America by having a SONA (state of the nation) address where the president will outline the success stories of past year and challenges for the current year. In Revelation 2&3 we are privileged to eavesdrop on the Lord Jesus Christ as he delivers seven State of the Church addresses. Before we start with the state of the church address for Ephesus the scene is set for us in Revelation 1.
REVELATION 1
They had already endured great suffering during the reign of Nero but now Domitian was in charge and he took emperor worship seriously. When anyone addressed him, they had to do so with the words Dominus et Deus (our Lord and our God). Of course, Christians could not do this and were persecuted. John tells us that he was banished to the island of Patmos (vrs 9) for the sake of the gospel. Patmos was a little island, ten miles long and six miles wide about 40 miles off the coast of Turkey. It was a barren, volcanic island. John would have been about 90 years old and would have been subject to back breaking work and, meagre rations. In vrs 10 we are told that it was the Lord’s Day – Sunday. Perhaps John gazed out across the Adriatic Sea to mainland Asia. How were his fellow believers doing? Suddenly the earth seemed to sink away under his feet. His soul was liberated from the shackles of time and space. He is in the spirit. He sees things, but not necessarily with physical eyes and he hears things not necessarily always with physical ears. He is in the spirit. He is given a picture of the risen, ascended, glorified Christ. What precious truths will sustain us if we find ourselves persecuted for the gospel.
- THE RULE OF JESUS CHRIST
In times of dire spiritual distress, we need to grasp the rule of Jesus Christ. Look at vrs 4, 5. In these two verses we have a reference to our Triune God. Grace and peace to you from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits (sevenfold spirit) before his throne and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Notice from vrs 5 what is said about the second person of the Godhead. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth. The risen Christ is described in great detail in vrs 12-16. Notice the impact the vision has on John.
a) AWE – In vrs 17 we read, when I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Domitian may well have been a powerful emperor, but the Lord Jesus Christ is the all-powerful God before whom Domitian must bow!
b) ENCOURAGEMENT – The risen Christ places his hand on the prostrate figure of John and speaks such tender words of comfort. Do not be afraid. If Christ rules, we need not fear.
- THE RESCUE OF JESUS CHRIST
If we wish to be sustained in times of persecution, we must always remind ourselves about the rescue of Jesus Christ. Vrs 17 goes on to say, I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One: I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. If you have keys, you have authority. You are the one who can lock and unlock things. Those who blaspheme Christ by refusing to repent of their sin and trust in Him alone will be consigned to hell. Jesus Christ does not only hold the keys to hell in his hands, but he also holds the keys to heaven. Look back to vrs 5; to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
If we are to be sustained through suffering, like John we too must cling to this vision of the Christ that rules and rescues